Quote of the Day (Herman Melville, on ‘Human Madness’)

“Human madness is oftentimes a cunning and most feline thing. When you think it fled, it may have but become transfigured into some still subtler form.”—American novelist, short-story writer, and poet Herman Melville (1819-1891), Moby-Dick or, the Whale (1851)

In the novel Moby-Dick, Captain Ahab personified “human madness.” Gregory Peck, shown here, played the character in the 1956 film adaptation directed by John Huston.

Quote of the Day (Jason Isaacs, on Charisma and Madness)

“When I think someone’s terrible, someone else might think they’re brilliant. One of the things that’s very charismatic is madness.”—British actor Jason Isaacs (The White Lotus), quoted by Andrew Goldman, “Jason Isaacs Might Say Too Much,” New York Magazine, June 16-29, 2025

The image accompanying this post, of Jason Isaacs at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, was taken Feb. 18, 2025 by Harald Krichel.

Movie Quote of the Day (‘Batman,’ on Madness and Tempting Fate)

“Tell me something, my friend. You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?”—The Joker (played by Jack Nicholson) to Bruce Wayne/Batman (played by Michael Keaton), in Batman (1989), directed by Tim Burton, story by Sam Haam, screenplay by Sam Haam and Warren Skaaren, based on characters created by Bob Kane

TV Quote of the Day (‘Seinfeld,’ on Music and Madness)

(George Costanza enters Jerry’s apartment singing "Master of the House," a Les Miserables show tune)

George [played by Jason Alexander]: "Master of the house… doling out the charm, ready with a handshake and an open palm. Tells a saucy tale, loves to make a stir, everyone appreciates a.."

Jerry [played by Jerry Seinfeld]: “What is that song?”

George: “Oh, it's from Les Miserables. I went to see it last week. I can't get it out of my head. I just keep singing it over and over. It just comes out. I have no control over it. I'm singing it on elevators, buses. I sing it in front of clients. It's taking over my life.”

Jerry: “You know, Schumann went mad from that.”

George: “Artie Schumann? From Camp Hatchapee?”

Jerry: “No, you idiot.”

George: “What are you, Bud Abbott? What, are you calling me an idiot?”

Jerry: “You don't know Robert Schumann? The composer?”

George: “Oh, Schu-MANN. Of course.”

Jerry: (Trying to scare George) “He went crazy from one note. He couldn't get it out of his head. I think it was an A. He kept repeating it over and over again. He had to be institutionalized.”

George: “Really? …Well, what if it doesn't stop?” (Jerry gestures "That's the breaks." George gasps.) “Oh, that I really needed to hear. That helps a lot!”— Seinfeld, Season 2, Episode 3, “The Jacket,” teleplay by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, directed by Tom Cherones

Even Jerry’s scare tactic isn’t enough to prevent George from breaking into song at an inopportune moment, prompting the fearsome father of friend Elaine Benes to bark, “Pipe down, chorus boy!”